Automatic linking machine



Oct. 17, 1961 T. J. CRAFFORD AUTOMATIC LINKING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 13, 1957 INVENTOR.

THOMAS J. CRAFFORD ATTORNEY.

Oct. 17, 1961 T. J. CRAFFORD AUTOMATIC LINKING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 15, 1957 INVENTOR. THOMAS J. CRAFFORD 52am v/w ATTORNEY.

Oct. 17, 1961 T. J. CRAFFORD AUTOMATIC LINKING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 13, 1957 INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

AUTOMATIC LINKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 9

2 2 2.54 246 248 244 248 2'46 U igs 32 240 9% 23% \24;

l a I 236 f j v INVENTOR. y THOMAS J. CRAFFORD /68 BY 204 @Jfl J/MZZ F I 6. IO -4 ATTORNEY.

Filed Dec. 15, 1957 1961 T.- J. CRAFFORD 34,0 ,3

AUTOMATIC LINKING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. I75 I THOMAS J. CRAFFORD FIG.I2 ZMJZJM ATTORNEY.

Oct. 17, 1961 T. J. CRAFFQRD 3,004,383

AUTOMATIC LINKING MACHINE Filed Dec. 15, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 \1 i l f I I i I I I INVENTOR. F IG. l4 THOMAS J. CRAFFORD BYiMJdJM ATTORNEY.

3,004,383 AUTOMATIC LINKING MA Thomas J. Cratlord, Riverside, RJL, assignor to Craftord Tool 81 Die (30., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed Dec. 13, 1957, Ser. No. 7 02,655 9 Claims. (Cl. 59-25) The instant invention pertains generally to an automatic linking machine, and more specifically, to a machine of particular utility in connection with the jewelry industry, although not limited thereto in use.

A primary object of my invention is the provision of a linking machine that will automatically receive wire stock, feed it, cut to the proper length, preform the cut wire pieces, load them in a magazine, and then complete the link to any desired shape.

Another important object of my invention is the provision of an automatic linking machine having novel and improved wire feed means.

Another object is the provision of a linking machine adapted to automatically form links which have a minimum tendency to become inadvertently detached when assembled to form a chain.

A further object of the instant invention is the provision of an automatic linking machine which is efficient in operation and which will serve to expedite the linking operation.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a linking machine of the character described wherein the fed and cut wire is formed into a U shape, said U-shaped pieces then automatically being loaded into a magazine which forms part of the machine.

Still another object of the instant invention is the provisionof a linking machine of the character described in the paragraph immediately supra, the free ends of the U-shaped pieces being exposed prior to the forming of the link whereby the operator may threadedly engage the i-tem'to be linked to one or both of said exposed ends whereby to insure positive linking.

A still further object of the present invention is to pro vide an improved chain linking machine wherein an operator may hold a previously formed link, which may constitute part of a linked chain, in interengaged relation with respect to a partially formed link supported Within the die means of the machine, and by merely actuating a single switch, cause energization and operation of the various component means in the proper sequences, whereby the partially formed link is completed and linked to the previously formed link while at the same time wire stock is being fed into the machine for cutting and partial forming after which the partially formed link is stacked in the magazine for subsequent feed to the die means.

Another object of the present invention is toprovide an improved chain linking machine wherein a plurality of cooperating means are coupled together by operating means so that the entire sequence of operation for changing the wire stock into a completed chain link is accomplished by the simple actuation of a single switch by an operator.

Briefly, my chain linking machine is comprised of wire stock feed means for feeding a preselected length of wire to a cutting and forming station, means at said station for cutting and partially forming the said preselected length of wire, magazine means adjacent to the said station for receiving the partially formed wire sections in stacked relation, said magazine having a discharge end, andpusher means for feeding the partially formed sections thereto one by one, and die means comprising relatively movable upper and lower die heads in juxtaposition with the discharge end of the magazine means for receiving the sections therefrom, one of said die heads including finger means slidable therein for movice ing the wire section relative thereto. The machine further comprises first operating means operatively coupled with and effecting simultaneous operation of the feed means, cutting and forming means, pusher means and finger means, second operating means operatively coupled with and efiecting relative movement of the upper and lower die heads, and third means cooperative with the first and second operating means for actuating the same in predetermined time sequence. Still further, the machine includes dependent means operative upon predetermined movement of the die heads to eltect operation of the first operating means and therefore the feed means, cutting and forming means, pusher means and finger means operatively coupled therewith.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

in the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by me for carrying out my invention:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an automatic link ing machine constructed in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine with covers removed and some portions shown in partial section for purposes of illustration;

3 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing certain details of the wire cutofi mechanism which forms a part of the instant invention;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the link forming mech anism which forms a part of my machine, parts being broken away for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 6 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 7--'7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of a Wire link after it has been cut and preformed by the instant machine;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane of 99 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane of Ill-1t in FIG. 9;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are views similar to FIG. 10 but taken along a plane displaced from the plane of line 10-10, showing details of the various cam means in different positions of operation;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are plan views showing details of the independent means which etfect movement of the second cam means.

Having reference more particularly to the drawings, and FIGS. 1 and 2 specifically, it will be seen that I have disclosed a chain linking machine 10 which is comprised of wire tensioning means 12, wire feed means 14., wire guide means 16, wire cutting and forming means 18, magazine means 26 and upper and lower die means 22 and 2-4, respectively. The machine 10 further includes first operating means 26, see FIGS. 3 and 9, operable to elfect movement of finger means 28, cutting and forming means 18, and pusher means 36 associated with magazine 29. As will be seen most clearly in MG. 1, covers are provided at ll, 13, 15 and 17, and a chute 19 is provided for receiving the completed link chain.

The machine 10 also includes a second operating means 32 which is coupled with the upper die means 22 to eifect vertical movement thereof, as well as predetermined move ment of the lower die means.

FIG. 3 best shows the first cam means which is cooperative with the first operating means 26 to effect reciprocating movement thereof. FIGS. 9 through 12 best show the second cam means 36 which is cooperative with the second operating means 32 to effect vertical movement amazes thereof. Independent means 38 is provided for effecting operation of the second cam'rneans 36.

In FIG. 2, dependent means 4t? is shown which means is actuated responsive to movement of the independent means 38 at a predetermined point in the movement of the second operating means 32 and the upper die means 22. controlled thereby, so as to effect operation of the first cam means 34-. PEG. 2 also shows control means 4 2 which actuates and controls the cycle of operation of the foregoing described means as will be more fully understood from the following detailed description.

Having reference now to FIGS. 2 and 6, the tensioning means 12 for the wire W will first be described. The wire W is fed from any suitable source of supply (not shown) and passes within a groove 44 in the block 46 with a float.- ing plate 48 engaged thereover. A tensioning screw 50 is engaged in a threaded opening 52 provided in block 46 and adjusted so as to vary the tension of the spring 54 hearing on the upper surface of the plate 48 whereby the frictional contact or drag on the Wire W can be adjusted.

FIGS. 2 and 7 show details of the wire feed means 14. A pair of blocks 58 and 6t) are fixedly secured on plate 55 which in turn is slidably mounted beneath tracks 57 and 59. The blocks 58 and 60 are so shaped as to define a recess 62 within which is positioned a substantially L-shaped gripper block 64. The block 64 is movable within recess 62 toward and away from inner surface as of block 60 but is normally biased thereagainst by means of screws 63 and spring 70, note FIG. 2. A clamping arm '72 having an inner cam edge '74 is pivotally carried by block 6t? as at '76 and is movable between a first position wherein the gripper block 64 is camrned away from surface 66 into clamping engagement with wire W, not FIG. 7, and a second position wherein the gripper block is resiliently urged against surface 66 by means of spring 7%, note FIG. 2, it being understood that in this second position, the wire W is not clamped and is free for movement relative to blocks 5'3 and ea In this position, the pivot arm 72 engages the wall '73 of the'siot in the block 6% to limit its pivoting and thus prevent clamping of the wire in the reverse direction.

A slidably mounted feed block 78 is adapted to be reciprocated by a lug Stl connected therewith, said lug 89 being carried by the reciprocating cam-carrying plate 226 to be described hereinafter. Secured to block 78 are a pair of spaced members 82 having spring loaded plungers 84 and as facing each other as most clearly shown in FIG. 2. Thus, as block 73 moves from left to right, viewing FIG. 2, plunger 84. will first engage arm 7?. and pivot it to clamping position whereupon the wire W will be tightly clamped within the blocks 58 and (all. Further movement to the right will cause the blocks 53, 6t and their support plate 56 to slide inwardly whereby to feed the wire W carried therewith. Conversely, return movement or movement to the left of block 7% will first cause plunger 8% to pivot arm '72 to its non-clamping position whereupon springs 76 will become effective to move gripper block 64 away from wire W to release same. Further movement to the left will return the blocks 58 and oil to their original position and any tendency for the released wire W to return therewith will be prevented by the aforerdescribed tensioning means 12. It is to be noted that as the pivot arm 72. is moved to the left, it engages the wall 73 of the slot through which it extends, as above described, so that the wire is gripped only when movement is the feed direction.

Slidable movement of the blocks 58, 6t and hence the length of Wire being fed, is limited and defined by adiustable stop screws 90, 92, it being understood that any overtravel of reciprocating block 78 will be taken up by the spring plungers 84, 36.

The wire guide means 16 and the cutting and forming means 18 are best shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 9. The guide means 16 includes a pair of plates 94 and 96 defining a groove 1% therein for receiving the wire W. The

4 plates 9.4 and. 96 are held fi mly y he body of th machine at 98 and have their ends projecting into the cutting and forming station at 100. The plates 94 and 96 have their ends angularly beveled as at 192 and 194 with the groove or pen ng out on the be el fa e 162. pp the groove 1% in the. cutting and forming station it), a l its is formed adapt d to receive e end of the wire section fed into the station. The top plate 119 over the cutting and forming station, All is provided with a depending mandrel 112 which is shaped according to the desired shape or the preformed link. The cutting and forming means 13 includes the post 113 to which are attached the fin ers ll and 116 by means of the screws 113. The upper ends of the fingers 114 and 116 are slightly beveled and formed with grooves at 12d and 122 with the finger 114 being formed with a V-shaped slot 124 corresponding to the pointed end of the guide plates 94 and 96 at 192, 1%. Thus, with a section of the wire W projecting into the forming and cutting station 190, upward movement of the cutting and forming means 1% slides the fingers 114 and lit) upwardly so as to shear the wire W at the bevel surface Hi2, thereby cutting the wire at an other than a right angle to its axis, and continued upward movement of the fingers Eridand 3.16 bends the wire into a generally -sh p by means f thes o s 12a and. 22 carrying end portions of the wire section about the manrel 112.

It is important to note that the fact that the wire W is cut at an angle to its axis, as above described, insures that the free ends of each preformed link 125 (note FIG. 8) are beveled as at 127. Thus, when the link is eventually completely formed, the beveled surfaces 127 will function to make inadvertent detachment of whatever is linked to link r25 less likely, due to the overlapping relation which the beveled surfaces provide.

As shown in FIGURES 4, 5 and 9, the magazine means 20 extends from the cutting and forming station 100 to the lower die means 24 and finger means 23. The magazine means 29 includes a substantially 'U-shaped groove 123 corresponfing to the shape of the preformed link made at the cutting and forming station 10% and said magazine is adapted to receive a plurality of links stacked therein as at 126 so as to fill the magazine between the cutting and forming station and the lower die means The magazine means 20 is formed with an opening 12.8 at the top thereof for a purpose to be described in detail hereinafter.

The pusher means 30, see FIG. 9, which is employed to move a preformed link from the cutting and forming station 130 into the magazine means 20 includes the cam 130 which is formed with a cam surface at its upper end 132. A pair of blocks 134 and 136 have a pusher plate 138 secured therebetween with the lower block 136 formed with a cam surface 140 cooperative with the cam surface 132. A spring 142 carried in the housing 144 is'engaged against the blocks 134 and 136 so as to normally urge the same to an extended position holding the supply of preformed links 126 in the magazine means 2%. At the time the cutting and forming operation is being carried out, the element 130 is in its up position retracting the blocks 134 and 136 and thus the pusher plate 138 against the action of the spring 142 thereby removing the plate 133 from the cutting and forming station. After completion of the cutting and forming operation, the downward movement of the cutting and forming means 18 is accompanied by downward movement of the cam res so as to release the blocks 134, 136 for action by the spring 142 whereby the plate 133 moves forwardly to transfer the preformed link from the cutting and forming station into the magazine 20.

The lower die means '24- is best shown in FIGS. 5 and 9. A front plate 144 is secured to a rear plate 14:? by means of the screws 148, with the pins being utilized to properly align the front and rear plates. The front and rear plates 144' and 146 are each formed with Q) grooves so as to provide a slot 152 of a size adapted to receive a single preformed link 126 therein as well as the finger means 28 for cooperation therewith. The magazine means 20 has its discharge end communicating with the slot 152 in the lower die means and upon operation of the pusher bar 138 to transfer a preformed link from the cutting and forming station into the magazine means 20, the forward-most preformed link at the opposing end of the magazine means is discharged into the lower die means and specifically into the slot 152 over the upper edge of slidable finger means plate 154.

The upper die means 22 includes a die 156 which has its lower end formed with a contour of preselected design at 158 according to the shape of the desired resultant link. As shown, the die 156 has the surface 158 formed with an arcuate groove so as to inwardly deflect the legs of the U-shaped link therebelow and join the ends of the link. The die 156 is held in adjusted horizontal and vertical relation by means of the series of bolts and nuts 160 and 162, respectively, which are engaged through the U-shaped head member 164 of the operating means 32 to be described hereinafter.

Having reference now to FIGS. 3, and 9, the first operating means 26 will now be described. The first operating means 26 comprises a floating base 166 having a flat central portion 168 and depending side portions 170 with cam followers 172 rotatably supported in the depending side portions 171). While only one side of the arrangement is shown at 170, 172, in FIGURE 9, it will be understood that the other side has a similar arrangement. The cam followers 172 ride on the bottom wall 174 of the machine and are adapted to cooperate with cam means as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The floating base 166 has the cutting and forming means 18, the finger means 28 and pusher means 30 carried thereby for movement in up and down directions. More specifically, the pusher earn 130 is fixedly secured with its lower end in the recess 176 by means of the screw 178 passing through the central portion 168 of the floating base. Thus, the cam 130 positively moves with the floating base in both up and down directions.

As will be seen most clearly in FIG. 3, the post '113 of the cutting and forming means 18 has its lower end received in the recess 180 of the floating base. An attachrnent plate 182 is received in the recess 180 and has the lower end of the post 113 secured thereto by means of the screws 134. The plate 182 in turn is secured to the floating base 162 by means of the screws 186 which are engaged through bushings 188. The bushings 188 are engaged in elongated slots 1% to be adjustable relative to the floating base so that the cutting and forming means can be properly aligned with the associated means of the machine.

' Thefinger means 28 which includes the slidable finger plate 154 has its lower end secured to the base 166 by means of the screws 192.

The central portion 168 of the floating base 166 is formed with a slot therethrough at 194 to receive the second operating means 32 therethrough.

Referring now to FIGURES 9 and 11, it will be noted that the second operating means 32 comprises the U- shaped head member 164 which carried the upper die means 22 and the adjusting screws and nuts 162 and bolts 160. The member or head 164 issecured between two side plates 196 and 198 by means .of the screws 200. The lower ends of the side plates 196 and'198 are joined by the block 202, the screw 204 extending therethrough to make the connection. A cam follower operating means 32 is normally resiliently urged to its up position by means of the coil spring 212 (FIG. 9) which seats on the spring plate carried by the bottom plate 174 beneath the block 202 of the head slide. A screw 214 is threadedly engaged in the bottom of the block 202 and extends through the bottom plate 174 of the machine so as to limit upward movement of the head slide 32.

Third operating means is provided in the machine, as shown in FIGURE 3 and includes the first cam means 34 and the second cam means 36. The first cam means 34 includes two bottom cams 216 which have beveled surfaces at 218 adapted to cooperate with the cam followers 172 of the floating base. The cams 216 are on opposite sides of and joined by the plate 226 for coupled movement. The driving means for effecting movement of the cams will be described in detail hereinafter. The first cam means 36 includes additional cams 222 which are connected to the plate 220 by means of the upstanding plate 224, the screws 226 and the pins 228. The cams 222 are formed with beveled surfaces at 231 which are adapted to cooperate with bevels at 232 on the floating base 166.

The second cam means 36, FIGS. 10-12, includes a single cam element 234 which has its end surface beveled at 236 for cooperation with the cam follower 206. The cam element 234 is slidably received in a recess in the plate 233 of the machine, which plate has an elongated slot 246 therein for receiving a guide portion 242 for longitudinal sliding movement therein. The cam element 234 is secured to the upper plate 244- by means of the screws 246 and guide pins 248, and the said upper plate 244 is in turn connected with a bar 250 which has end surface 252 adapted to be contacted by a plunger 254 of a piston motor to be described hereinafter.

The means for effecting movement of the plate 220 and thus the earns 2.16 and 222 will now be described with reference to FIGURES 2, 13 and 14. The plate 220 has another plate256 secured thereto with an upstanding portion 258 engaged between a pair of nuts 260 carried by the threaded end of the plunger 262 of the large cylinder 264.

The dependent means 46 which are actuated at a predetermined point in the operation of the second earn means includes a lateral projection 266 carried by the plate 24 see FIG. 2, which has an adjustable screw 268 carried therein. A microswitch 271) has the button operator thereof 272 disposed in alignment with the screw 268 whereby upon predetermined longitudinal movement, the screw 268 contacts the button 272 and actuates the microswitch 270.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the plate 220 which joins the cams 2.16 and the cams 222, has the block 274 secured thereto by means of the screw 276 and the alignment pins 278. The block 274 is formed with a shoulder 286 which cooperates with a follower block 282 having a corresponding shoulder 264. The follower block 282 is connected with the plate 244 over the plate 238 by means of the screw 286 and alignment pins 288. The follower block 282 has an elongated portion 290 longitudinally slidably received in the slot 292 which parallels the slot 246 above described.

Having reference to FIG. 9, it will be seen that the forming element 234- is secured to the head 164 by means of the screw 296 and includes a lower U-shaped depending portion formed with an arcuate recess. The forming or shaping element 294 is adapted to reciprocate with the head 164- and engages in the opening 128 over the magazine means 20 so as to be engageable with the leg end portions ofthe' preformed link elements 126. Thus, the upper end portions of the legs of the U-shaped elements 126 are bent slightly inwardly to complete the preforming op eration. The inturning of the upper end portions of the legs of the U-shaped elements 126 functions to insure proper forming of the completed link when it is in position in the lower .die means and contacted by the upper die means.

The dotted line at 298 represents an inwardly extending lip or. head past which .the U-shaped elements are forced by the pusher bar 138 and held from falling back into the cutting and forming station when the pusher bar 138 I is retracted, as will be obvious to oneskilled in the art.

Having reference once again to FIG. 2, the control and operating means for the chain linking machine of the present invention will now be described.

The small cylinder 3% is actuated by depressing the foot pedal 332 which supplies air or fluid pressure into the cylinder 3th? to project the plunger 25 i outwardly against'the element 259 so as to move the second cam means above described. Upon predetermined operation of and movement of the second cam means, the first cam means is moved to raise the floating base to its full up position at which the finger means in the lower die means forces out the link being formed by the upper die means at the same time the final forming movement of the upper die means is occurring. Upon engagement of the screw are against the button 272, the microswitch 27% is operate which actuates relay 394 through the connection 3% to open the solenoid valve 3&8, admitting air pressure through the pipe 319 to the forward end of the cylinder 264- whereby to retract the plunger 262 and, therefore, the first cam means 341 above described. After a predetermined time delay, the relay 3M operates to close air pressure flow through the pipe 31d and open air pressure flow in the pipe 312 whereby the cylinder 26% is operated in the opposite direction, projecting the plunger 252 outwardly to reverse movement of the first cam means. The control means is now in a position to have a repeat cycle.

Operation In the preferred arrangement, the floating base the is normally in position slightly below full up with the pusher bar 138 retracted, the cutting and forming means 18 in its up position having substantially completed preforming one section of wire at the cutting and forming station, and with the finger plate 154 in its slightly below full up position in the lower die means 24.

The operation will be described with the floating base normally in the position slightly below full up. The upper die means is in its up position as the result of the resilient spring 212. The operator engages a link which has previously been formed, as at 3:1 in Fl 5, over one of the legs of the preformed link element partially projecting from the lower die means. Next, the operator dcpresses the foot pedal Sill introducing air pressure into the cylinder 3% projecting the plunger 254loutwardly against the plate 259, which is moved longitudinally as viewed in FIG. 10, to move cam against the cam follower 206. Engagement of the cam follower 21% against the cam surface 236 pulls the head slide downwardly, thereby bringing the upper die means downwardly against the preformed link held by the lower die. Such downward movement beings to turn in the ends of the U-shaped link, one of which is shown in FIG. 8. At the same time the head 164 is being moved downwardly by the action of the earn 234, the forming element 294 operates to partially turn in the leg portions of the U--shaped elements in the magazine, as above described.

When the second cam means reaches the point shown in FIG. 11, the'head slide and upper die means have almost reached their down position and shoulder 284 engages shoulder 286' to move the first cam means to the left completing up movement of the floating base to its up position. Such movement moves the finger plate to project the link being formed outwardly at the same time the final downward movement of the upper die means oc-. curs. At this point the upper die means is at its lowermost position and the finger plate in the lower die means is at its uppermost position with the forming of the link completed and its connection with a previously formed link effected. As the second cam means 234 is operating to lower the head slide 32, and substantially at the end point in the movement of the second'cam means, the screw 268 actuates the contact 272 of the microswitch 27%, thereby operating the relay 304 and actuating the solenoid valve 398. Actuation of the solenoid valve 338 at this point introduces air into the forward end of the cylinder 264 to retract the plunger Z62. The'plunger 262 is connected through the plate 258 to the plate 220 which couples the cams 215 and 222 for simultaneous movement. Retraction of the cam 216 releases the cam follower 172 from engagement with the cam surfaces 218 while the cam surface 23% engages the cam surface 232 of the floating base 166 to positively effect lowering-thereof to its lowermost position as shown best in FIG. 3.

Lowering of the floating base 156 as described retracts the cutting and forming means 18 to the position shown in FIG. 9, at the same time withdrawing the finger plate 154 to a position ready to receive another preformed link element. Simultaneously with the foregoing, the cam 13% is withdrawn and action of the spring 142 operates to push the pusher bar 138 through the cutting and forming station to transfer the preformed link element just formed into the magazine means past the lip or bead 298, above described. At the same time the preformed link is transferred from the cutting and forming station into the magazine means, one of the preformed links is ejected from the discharge end of the magazine means into the lower diemeans over the finger plate 154 in readiness for another operation.

Actuation of the cylinder 264 as described retracts the plunger 262, the cams 216' and 222. It also retracts the block 274 connected with the plate 224) as viewed in FIGS. 11 and 12. Movement of the block 274 effects movement of the follower block 282 to return the plunger 254 to its original position in readiness for another operation by the foot pedal control 302. After a predetermined time delay, the relay 5 M operates to close the valve 308 to the pipe 319 and open communication from the source of air supply at 316 to the pipe .312 at the opposing end of the cylinder 264. This effects return of the plunger 2-62 to a normal projected position at which the floating base 166 is raised by action of the cam surface 218 on the cam followers 172. As the floating base 166 rises, the pusher bar 138 is retracted by the cam 130 engaging the follower 136 and retracting the latter in opposition to the urging of the spring 142. This removes the pusher bar from the cutting and forming station in readiness for the nexcutting and forming operation. At the same time, rising of the floating base 166 pushes the finger plate 154 upwardly to again hold a preformed link element projected from the lower die means in readiness for connection to the previously formed chain link. Thereafter, operation of the pedal 302 repeats the foregoing operation to complete and connect the link to the chain links previously formed. Inasmuch as the plate 220 reciprocates within the machine, it is coupled to the slidable feed block 78 by lug so that upon reciprocation of the plate 220 the arm 72 is pivoted as above described to periodically feed a predetermined length of Wire into the wire cutting and forming station in readiness for upward moving of the floating base and the cutting and forming means carried thereby.

In view of the foregoing, it is believed that I have provided a machine which fulfills the objects hereinbefore enumerated.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, andall changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents, are therefore intended to be embraced by these claims.

I claim: I

1. A chain making machine comprising a cutting and forming station, wire stock feed means for feeding a preselected length of wire into said cutting and forming station, means cutting and partially forming a section of wire at said station, magazine means extending from said station having an inlet end for receiving said partially formed wire sections and a discharge end from which the wire sections are fed one at a time, upper and lower die heads in juxtaposition with the discharge end of said magarine means, pusher means transferring said formed wire section from said station into said magazine means and simultaneously ejecting one of said partially formed wire sections from said magazine discharge end into one of said die heads, said one die head including finger means slidable therein for moving said one wire section relative thereto and toward the other die head, first operating means operatively coupled with and efiecting operation of said cutting and forming means, pusher means and finger means, and second operating means operatively coupled with and effecting movement of said other die head toward said one die head, and third operating means cooperative with said first and second operating means and said feed means actuating the same in predetermined time sequence, said third operating means including first cam means for effecting actuation of said first operating means and second cam means for effecting actuation of said second'operating means, and independently actuatable means engaging said second cam means operable to effect movement thereof, and means responsive to movement of said second cam means engaging said first cam means and effecting actuating movement thereof.

2. A chain making machine comprising a cutting and V forming station, wire stock feed means for feeding a preselected length of wire into said cutting and forming station, means cutting and partially forming a section of wire -at said station, magazine means extending from said station having an inlet end for receiving said partially formed wire sections and a discharge end from which the wire sections are fed one at a time, upper and lower dieheads in juxtaposition with the discharge end of said magazine means, pusher means transferring said formed wire sections from said station into said magazine means and simultaneously ejecting one of said partially formed wire sections from said magazine discharge end into one of said die heads, said one die head including finger means slidable therein for moving said one wire section relative thereto and toward the other die head, first operating means operatively coupled with and efiecting operation of said cutting and forming means, pusher means and finger means, and second operating means operatively coupled with and'efi'ecting movement of said other die head toward said one die head, and third operating meanscooperative with said first and second operating means actuating the same and said feed means in predetermined time sequence, independent means actuating said second operating means to eifect movement of said other die head toward said one die head, and dependent means operative upon predetermined movement of said other die head to efiect actuation of said first operating means.

3. A chain making machine according to claim 2 wherein said first operating means are normally in a position at which the cutting and forming means have been actuated, the pusher means retracted, and the finger means moved sufliciently so that one partially formed wire sec tion is partially extended from said one die head toward the other die head in position to have a previously formed link engaged thereover, and actuation of said second operating means by said independent means moves said other die head toward said one die head, and then completes the movement of said finger means toward said other die head to complete forming of said one wire section into a link coupled with a previously formed link.

4. A chain making machine according to claim 2 wherein said first operating means are normally in a position at which the cutting and forming means have been actuacted, the pusher means retracted, and the finger-means moved suificiently so that one partially formed Wire section is partially extended from said one die head toward the other die head in position to have a previously formed link engaged thereover, and actuation of said second operating means by said independent means moves said other die head toward said one die head and then completes the movement of said finger means toward said other die head to complete forming of said one wire section into a link coupled with a previously formed link, and said dependent means includes a switch and power means actuated by the switch at a preselected point in the travel of said second operating means and said other die head to actuate said first operating means to move to a second position at which the finger means and cutting and forming means are retracted and said pusher means is actuated.

5. A chain making machine according to claim 2 wherein said first operating means are normally in a position at which the cutting and forming means have been actuated, the pusher means retracted, and the finger means moved sufliciently so that one partially formed wire section is partially extended from said one die head to-' ward the other die head in position to have a previously formed link engaged thereover, and actuation of said second operating means by said independent means moves said other die head toward said one die head and then completes the movement ofsaid finger means toward said other die head to complete forming of said one wire section into a link coupled with a previously formed link, and said dependent means includes a switch and power means actuated by the switch at a preselected point in the travel of said second operating means and said other die head to actuate said first operating means to move to a second position at which the finger means and cutting and forming means are retracted and said pusher means is actuated, and time delay means associated with said power means and operative upon a predetermined time delay to move said first operating means back to its normal position.

6. A chain making machine according to claim 2, wherein said first operating means are normally in a position at which the cutting and forming means have been actuated, the pusher means retracted, and the finger means moved sufiiciently so that one partially formed wire section is partially extended from said one die head toward the other die head in position to have a previously formed link engaged thereover, and actuation of said second operating means by said independent means moves said other die head toward said one die head and then completes the movement of said finger means toward said other die head to complete forming of said one wire section into a link coupled with a previously formed link, and said dependent means includes a switch and power means actuated by the switch at a preselected point in the travel oi said second operating means and said other die head to actuate said first operating means to move to a second position at which the finger means and cutting and forming means are retracted and said pusher means is actuated, said other die head having resilient means normally urging it away from said one die head, and interengageable means coupled for movement with said third operating means and operable upon movement of said first operating means to said second position to retract said independent means and release said other die head for return to its normal position.

7. A chain making machine comprising a cutting and forming station, wire stock feed means for feeding a preselected length of wire into said cutting and forming station, means cutting and partially forming a section of wire at said station, magazine means extending from said station having an inlet end for receiving said partially formed wire sections and a discharge end from which the wire sections are fed one at a time, upper and lower die heads in juxtaposition with the discharge end of said gara e 11 v I V magazine means, pusher means transferring said formed wire sections from said station into said magazine means and simultaneously ejecting one of said partially formed wire sections from said magazine discharge end into one of said die heads, said'one die means including finger means slidabie therein for moving said one wire section relative thereto and toward the other die head, first operating means operatively coupled with and effecting operation of said cutting and forming means, pusher means and finger means, and second operating means operatively coupled with and efiecting movement of said other die head toward said one die head, said first operating means including a floating base movable in one direction to actuate said cutting and forming means to cut and partially form said length of wire at said station, and to actuate said finger means to move said one wire section relative to said die means, said floating base being movable in the opposite direction to retract said cutting and forming means and said finger means and to actuate said pusher means to move a partially formed wire section from said station into said magazine means andto simultaneously eject a wire section from thelatter into said one die head, said second operating means including a head slide resiliently urged in one direction to retract said other die head from said one die head and movable in the opposite direction to move said other die head toward said one die head, and third operating means cooperative with said floating base and said head slide actuating the same in predetermined time sequence and operatively coupled with and effecting operation of said feed means to feed said preselected length of wire into said cutting and forming station when said floating base is being retracted, and said third operating means including first cam means engaging said floating base to move the same in said one and opposite directions, and second cam means engaging said head slide to move the same in said opposite direction, independent means operatively engaging said second cam means to effect its movement and movement of said head slide in said opposite direction, and dependent means operative responsive to said movement of said second cam means to eflect movement of said first cam means and thus said floating base in said one and opposite directions.

8. A chain making machine comp-rising a cutting and forming station, wire stock feed means for feeding a preselected length of wire into said cutting and forming station, means cutting and partially forming a section of wire at said station, magazine means extending from said station having an inlet end for receiving said partially formed wire sections and a discharge end from which the wire sections are fed one at a time, upper and lower die heads in juxtaposition with the discharge end of said magazine means, pusher means transferring said formed wire sections fiom said station intosaid magazine means and simultaneously ejecting one of said partially formed wire sections from said magazine discharge end into one of said die heads, saidone die head including finger means slidable therein for moving said one wire section relative thereto and toward the other die head, first operating means operatively coupled with and eflecting operation of said cutting and forming means, pusher means and finger means, and second operating means operatively coupled with and eifecting movement of said other die head toward said one die head, said first means including a floating base movable in one direction to actuate said cutting and forming means to cut and partially form said length of wire at said station, and to actuate said finger means to move said one wire section relative to said one die head and toward the other head, said floating base being movable in the opposite direction to retract said cutting and forming means and said finger means and to actuate said pusher means to move a partially formed wire section from said station into said magazine means and to eject a Wire section from the latter into said one die head, means operatively coupled with said floating base for operating said feed means as said floating base moves in said opposite direction and for retracting said feed means as said floating base moves in said one direction, and said second means including a head slide movable inone direction to retract said other die head from said one die head and movable in the opposite direction to move said other die head toward said one die head, and cam means cooperative with said floating base and said head slide for actuating same in predetermined time sequence.

9. A chain making machine according to claim 2 wherein said partially formed wire section is substantially U-shaped, and preforrning means actuated by said second operating means for partially closing each U-shaped section prior to its ejection from said magazine discharge end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Sampatacos July 12, 

